High quality pillow blocks, when selected and mounted correctly, are designed to provide virtually frictionless rotation even under the most strenuous loads. A German supplier of pillow block bearings and other ball bearing components called ASKUBAL ( ASK ) provides insight into choosing the appropriate pillow block for a design. Elementally a pillow block bearing is a specific type of mounted ball bearing that supports a shaft parallel to a mounting plane. There are many parameters to be considered when choosing a pillow block or having one specially designed for an application.
The most straightforward of these are the individual dimensions such as diameter of the shaft, the backing height or the distance of the shaft to the mounted surface and also the size of the slots or bolt holes for mounting. Pillow blocks can take on a new level of complexity when it comes to their load capabilities and life. While a pillow block bearing is usually housed in cast iron, the bearing balls can be made from varying grades of steel. When purchasing standard or non-standard pillow blocks it is useful to consult a company like ASKUBAL to help in the understanding of the additional complexities and to provide added value in cost effectiveness and performance.